Big Brothers Big Sisters Volunteers Change Kids' Lives

Do you want to give back to your community, but aren't sure where or how to start?

To make it easy for you to connect with organizations in need, Patch is running a special end-of-year series, The 12 Days of Volunteering. Through Jan. 1, we will bring you one volunteer opportunity a day from a local nonprofit group. 

Day 9: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County

Would you make a positive role model for a child? If so, the Big Brothers Big Sisters program might be a good fit for you. 

Volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County mentor children through traditional community-based and school-based programs, as well as through specialized programs including African-American mentoring, Hispanic mentoring, Sports Buddies and the Kinship Services Network.

The group's mission is "to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever," according to the Big Brothers Big Sisters website. 

The organization carefully matches each volunteer with a child age 6 to 18, based on personality, preferences and location. Volunteers go through an extensive background check and interview process. 

After a match is found, the volunteer, or "Big," spends a few hours a month doing activities with the child, or "Little." According to the website, activities are based on mutual interests and may include:

• Playing catch
• Reading books
• Getting ice cream
• Going to a museum
• Providing advice and inspiration

The organization also accepts donations, which go toward recruiting new volunteers, paying for background checks and providing activities for the children, among other things.

For information on getting involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County website, or call volunteer coordinator Christa Wingert at 727-518-8860, ext. 227. The organization's office is at 918 West Bay Drive in Largo.

About this column: This special 12-day series looks at ways residents can volunteer and make a difference in their communities in 2012.